Why Having the Original ‘Star Wars’ Characters Return for the New Movies is a Great Idea

By Matt Staggs on March 11, 2013

I’ve heard a lot of complaints from friends that the original Star Wars cast is “too old” to star in the new movies. I strongly disagree. They can play a huge role as elder statesmen and kingmakers in this new film. Yeah, Carrie Fisher is older, but Princess Leia is going to be so much wiser, more connected and definitely someone you don’t want to mess with. And Luke Skywalker? Sure. Mess with a Master Jedi, hero of the galaxy and savior of the Force at the pinnacle of his strength. Let me know how that goes for you – if there’s any “you” left. Oh, and I’m sure Han Solo hasn’t lost any tricks. On the contrary, I bet he’s gained a few – and probably has an ARMY of young scoundrels and ne’er do wells to do his dirty work.

I love the idea of new heroes. I can’t wait to “meet” them. I’m pretty sure that they’ll be a part of the new movies, but here’s the thing you’ve got to consider: The new guys probably won’t be players on the epic, galaxy-shaking scale that General Solo, Princess Leia and Jedi Master Skywalker will be. They just can’t. They don’t have the connections, wisdom and power that these celebrated heroes have.

You know what they will have, though? Tough, young bodies. Idealism and the willingness to shake things up for the established order. They’ll be trigger-pullers, scoundrels and Jedis. They’ll bring some new blood to the greatest science fiction movie saga on Earth. What else will they have? Well, they’ll have powerful allies and enemies – the characters we know and love.

Still have any doubts about the level of bad-assery that the original actors will bring to the screen? Check out this awesome depiction of elder Jedi Master Luke Skywalker by artist Phil Noto and see if that doesn’t command some degree of respect.